UK Government Considers HS2 Light Rail Project

The UK government is considering a proposal for an 'HS2-light' railway line connecting Birmingham and Manchester, which aims to be more cost-effective than the previously scrapped high-speed link. This alternative would involve a route running from Birmingham to Crewe, allowing faster travel than the current West Coast mainline but slower than HS2. Transport Secretary Louise Haigh indicated that the existing London to Birmingham segment of HS2 would terminate at Euston, rather than Old Oak Common, further reshaping the project. The proposed 'HS2-light' line is expected to be about 40% cheaper and could alleviate a projected capacity crunch on the West Coast mainline as HS2 operations begin in the 2030s. Final decisions on the project will follow a government spending review set for next spring, with funding expected from changes in fiscal rules announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. Regional leaders and experts have emphasized the necessity of developing alternative rail solutions to enhance connectivity and capacity in the North.